JP2020120192A - Image processing system and method - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an image processing system capable of solving an inconvenience such that save processing is always failed when "My Folder" is selected as the save destination of the file that includes the image data obtained by scanning depending on a provided function, resulting in failure to contribute to improving user convenience.SOLUTION: Disclosed image processing system is configured so that when it is determined that a function selected by a user can use the protocol included in my Folder information, a screen for selecting the save destination of the file performs a display so that My Folder is selectable, and when it is determined that a function selected by a user cannot use the protocol included in my Folder information, the screen for selecting the save destination of the file performs a display so that My Folder is not selectable.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

The present invention relates to a technique for transmitting and storing read image data obtained by reading an original in an image processing apparatus in a folder of a shared server designated by a user.

In recent years, not only the copy function but also an image processing apparatus such as a multi-function peripheral capable of executing a plurality of functions such as a print function, a fax function, a network scan function, and an address book for managing transmission destination information has been widely used. .. Usually, these multifunction peripherals are provided with an operation panel having a touch screen function and an operation unit having hard keys, and a user calls a desired function from a function list displayed on the operation panel to operate the device. In addition, when a user uses a device, user authentication is also requested. In this case, the user authenticates using a touch panel or a card, and if the authentication is successful, the device can be used.

In Patent Document 1, in order to improve the operability and security using this user authentication, a “send file to me” button is provided in the image processing apparatus as a destination of file transmission for the authenticated user. There is. When this button is specified, the file is transmitted and saved in "My Folder" that is determined based on the folder path registered in advance for the specified user. That is, in order to use the "my folder", it is necessary to previously set and register the folder path information and information such as the communication protocol to be used in association with the user information. Patent Document 1 discloses SMB (Server Message Block) and FTP (File Transfer Protocol) as communication protocols used for transmission to and saving in “My Folder” by the “Send File to Me” button.

JP, 2013-179436, A

Here, in the image processing apparatus, "scan and send" for sending the scanned image data to one or more destinations such as an email address or a file sharing destination, or a folder in a shared server existing inside or outside the own apparatus is used. A function (or application) such as "scan and save" for specifying and saving can be executed.

Considering the convenience of the user, it is desirable to be able to select the "my folder" described above not only in the "send file to me" function but also in the destination designation when using these functions.

However, for functions such as "scan and send" and "scan and save", there are cases where there are restrictions on the types of communication protocols that can be used when sending and saving files. That is, the communication protocol as the setting of “my folder” may be limited depending on any function supported by the image processing apparatus. In such a case, when "My Folder" is selected as the destination, the processing such as file transmission and saving always fails, which causes a problem that it does not contribute to the improvement of user convenience. ..

Therefore, the present invention can appropriately select a save destination determined based on a folder path registered in advance for a user when saving scanned image data while suppressing the occurrence of the above-described problems. The purpose is to provide a possible mechanism.

An image processing apparatus according to the present invention includes a storage device that manages folder information including path information and protocol type in association with user information of a user, and stores a plurality of image data obtained by scanning. An image processing apparatus that provides a function, wherein an acquisition unit that acquires folder information associated with user information of an authenticated user and a function selected from the plurality of functions are included in the acquired folder information. A determination unit that determines whether or not the protocol is available, and the selected function is selected when the protocol included in the acquired folder information is available. On the screen for selecting a save destination for saving the image data as a file by a function, a display is displayed so that a folder corresponding to the acquired folder information can be selected, and the selected function is acquired. When it is determined that the protocol included in the folder information cannot be used, a screen is displayed on the screen for selecting the storage destination such that the folder corresponding to the acquired folder information cannot be selected. ..

According to the present invention, when saving scanned image data, it is an object of the present invention to provide a mechanism capable of appropriately selecting a save destination determined based on a folder path registered in advance for a user. And

It is a block diagram which shows an example of the hardware constitutions of an image processing apparatus. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a software module configuration of the image processing apparatus. It is a figure which shows the example of a system configuration containing an image processing apparatus. It is an example of a home screen displayed on the operation unit 105. 6 is an example of operation screens of a “scan and send” function and a “scan and save” function displayed on the operation unit 105. It is an example of information managed by a my folder information management unit. 7 is a flowchart for explaining a process in which a user registers information of my folder in the image processing apparatus. It is a flow chart for explaining processing when a user uses my folder. It is an example of the operation screen of the "scan and save" function when the use of My Folder is restricted. It is an example of a my folder registration screen.

Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an image processing apparatus according to the present invention.

The image processing apparatus includes an image forming unit 101 that forms an image on recording paper by a method such as an electrophotographic method, and a control unit 102 that controls the image processing apparatus. In addition, a finisher 103 that performs post-processing such as stapling processing and a scanner unit 104 that reads a document image and generates image data are provided. Further, an operation unit 105 including a mechanism for inputting various data and commands and a mechanism (display unit) for accepting operations and performing various displays is provided. Further, a network interface (I/F) 106 for transmitting/receiving data via a network, a facsimile I/F 107 for transmitting/receiving fax data, and a card reader 110 for user authentication using a device are also provided. The storage device 111 is an external storage device including a hard disk or the like, and stores various programs executed in the multi-functional peripheral, set values for controlling processing, user information, display contents, and the like. An application program for realizing functions such as “scan and send” and “scan and save” is also stored in the storage device 111.

Each of 101, 103 to 107, 110, and 111 is connected to the control unit 102 by a dedicated interface.

The control unit 102 includes at least a central processing unit (CPU) 108 and a memory 109. The memory 109 is used as a work memory for executing a program for performing processing corresponding to a flowchart described below and display control on the display unit.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a software module configuration in the image processing apparatus. These configurations represent the functions realized by the CPU 108 executing one or more programs.

The UI control unit 201 displays an operation screen on the operation unit 105 and controls a user interface (UI) that receives user operations. The scan control unit 202 controls the scanner unit 104 and controls the process of reading a document image.

In the “scan and send” function or the “scan and save” function, the transmission control unit 203 converts the image data read by the scan control unit 202 into a file to a destination designated by the user using the network I/F 106 or the like. Controls the process of sending and saving.

In the “scan and send” function, a protocol for file sharing can be selected from SMB, WebDAV (Web-based Distributed Authoring and Versioning), FTP, and the like. Further, in the "scan and save" function, either SMB or WebDAV can be selected, and FTP cannot be selected.

The fax control unit 204 controls fax transmission/reception using the facsimile I/F 107 in the “fax” function. The job management unit 205 manages the transmission request of the user accepted by the UI control unit 201 and the execution state thereof. The image management unit 206 manages management information of the image read by the scanner unit 104. The authentication information management unit 208 controls user authentication processing, and also manages information set for each user in association with authentication.

The my folder information management unit 207 manages information of “my folder” for each user who uses the image processing apparatus. Specifically, the my folder information management unit 207 manages the information of the my folder in the storage device 111 in association with the user information used for authentication. The "scan and send" function can select "my folder" as the destination designation. On the other hand, the "scan and save" function can select "my folder" as the destination designation under a predetermined condition.

The application control unit 209 performs registration management of an application list registered in the image processing apparatus and control of activation and termination. The application is, for example, copy, scan and send, fax, scan and save, use of save file, etc. shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a system configuration including an image processing device.

Reference numeral 301 is an image processing apparatus. The file sharing server 302 is a file server that can be a destination of image data obtained by scanning a document. A display unit 303 and an input device 304 are connected to the file sharing server 302. An authentication server 305 manages user authentication when using the image processing apparatus 301 and the server 302. These are connected via a network. The image processing apparatus can also have a function for user authentication included in the authentication server 305. Further, one or more file sharing servers may exist on the network, and can be realized inside the image processing apparatus.

FIG. 4 is an example of a home screen displayed on the operation unit 105. By operating the home screen, the user can call a desired function and give an execution instruction. On the home screen, a selection screen 401 on which buttons for selecting a function to be called are arranged is displayed. In this example, buttons 406 to 410 for calling the “copy” function, the “scan and send” function, the “fax” function, the “scan and save” function, and the “use saved file” function are arranged. ing. A numeric keypad 402 and a start key 403 for instructing the start of a job are also arranged. Furthermore, a "setting/registration" screen call button 404 for calling the device setting screen and a "history/status" button 405 for calling the job history/status screen are also arranged.

FIG. 5A is an example of a scan transmission operation screen displayed on the operation unit 105 when the user presses the “scan and send” button 407. In this figure, an area 501 in which a button for designating a transmission destination is arranged is displayed. The destination can be input by any of the “address book”, “one-touch”, and “new destination”. For example, when the user operates the address book call button 504, an address book screen is displayed, and an arbitrary destination can be designated from the address book. In these destination designations, a protocol for file sharing such as SMB, FTP, WebDAV can be further designated as a transmission method. In addition to file sharing, it is possible to specify a transmission method such as SMTP (e-mail) and fax transmission.

An area 502 is provided with buttons for performing various settings for image data generated by scanning, such as reading resolution and reading color mode. An application function button 503 calls up various detailed settings for reading and transmitting a document by scanning.

505 is displayed in an environment in which user authentication for using the image processing apparatus is enabled, and is used for designating a specific destination (“My Folder”) associated with the user information of the authenticated user as a transmission destination. It is a send button to my folder. When the Send to My Folder button 505 is selected, file transmission is performed using the folder path information registered in advance in association with the user information of the user who has been authenticated and logged in and the transmission method (protocol). It will be. A button 506 is displayed when user authentication is performed, and is a button to be pressed when the user logs out after finishing the work.

FIG. 5B is an example of an operation screen displayed on the operation unit 105 when the user presses the “scan and save” button 409. In this figure, a list 507 showing a list of shared folders or the like of the external file sharing server 302 registered in advance as candidates for the storage destination is displayed.

In the image processing apparatus according to the present invention, in the list 507, in the environment where the user authentication is valid, the “my folder” 508 corresponding to the specific destination associated with the user information of the authenticated and logged-in user is displayed. To do. The my folder 508 is controlled so that it can be selected under a predetermined condition, and this control will be described later.

Further, as described above, the list 507 also includes information on the shared folders 509 on one or more registered file servers in addition to the my folder 508. In addition to the shared folder on the network, a folder reserved in the storage device 111 or a folder in the memory medium connected to the USB port can be registered and displayed as a candidate for the storage destination. is there. Unlike the My Folder 508, the information of the shared folder 509 is registered without being associated with the user information and is shared by a plurality of users who use the image processing apparatus.

As described above, in the “scan and save” function, either SMB or WebDAV can be selected as a communication protocol for transmitting and saving a file including image data obtained by scanning, and FTP cannot be selected. .. Therefore, as the shared folder 509, the shared folder of the file sharing server connectable by the SMB or WebDAV protocol is registered.

When the user selects either My Folder 508 or Shared Folder 509, a list (not shown) of files and folders included in the selected folder is displayed. When this screen is displayed, by executing scanning, the scanned data is stored as a file in the selected folder.

The up button 510 is a button that is pressed when transitioning from the currently displayed folder to a higher folder. The storage information confirmation button 511 is a button that is pressed when displaying the information of the currently selected file sharing server, and by pressing this, the file sharing server name, address information, connection protocol, free space, etc. A storage information confirmation screen that displays information is displayed. Reference numeral 506 is as described with reference to FIG.

By operating the “use scan file” button 410 shown in FIG. 4, a file saved by the “scan and save” function can be selected and printed.

FIG. 6A is an example of one record of my folder information managed by the my folder information management unit 207. Each record of my folder information includes an ID for uniquely specifying this my folder information and a user ID that is user information for uniquely specifying a logged-in user.

The My Folder information further includes the display name of the folder, the type of communication protocol used to communicate with the file sharing server, the address of the file sharing server, the path information of the folder, the authentication user name for connecting to the file sharing server, Authentication password, etc. are included. Here, communication protocols that can be set as my folder information include SMB, FTP, WebDAV, and the like. In addition, a protocol such as CIFS (Common Internet File System) may be included.

FIG. 6B is an example of one record of restricted protocol information managed by the my folder information management unit 207. Registered when there are restrictions on the file sharing protocol that can be used for each function (application) that uses the My Folder function. The restricted protocol information includes an ID for uniquely identifying a function (application), a display name of the function (application), a protocol type to be restricted, and the like. This example shows that the "scan and save" function cannot use "FTP".

Next, a process of registering information of my folder will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

This process is started by performing the registration operation of the my folder information after the user authentication using the authentication information input by the user by the authentication information management unit 208 is successful. The input of the authentication information by the user is realized by holding the card for user authentication over the card reader 110 or by inputting the user name and password on the user authentication screen displayed on the operation unit 105.

In step S1001, the UI control unit 201 receives a registration request for my folder information in response to the setting/registration button 404 on the home screen being selected and an operation for registering my folder information being performed.

FIG. 10 is an example of a registration screen for registering My Folder information displayed in response to a My Folder information registration request. On the My Folder registration screen, there are arranged input fields for inputting a host address, a folder path, an authentication user name, and an authentication user password. Further, a protocol used for file sharing can be set in the protocol selection pull-down 1301. In the example of FIG. 10, “FTPHost.Server1.com” is input to the host address, “Folder1” is input to the folder path, “User1” is input to the authentication user name, and “User1Pass” is input to the authentication user password. In addition, "FTP" is selected as the protocol. 1302 is a message display area in which a message relating to the setting corresponding to the field input is displayed on this registration screen. The message may be displayed in a dialog box other than this example.

In step S1002, the UI control unit 201 receives the My Folder information input by the user on the My Folder registration screen.

In step S1003, the UI control unit 201 refers to the restricted protocol information managed by the my folder information management unit 207, and has a function (application) for restricting the type of protocol included in the my folder information received in step S1002. Determine whether or not. If the corresponding function exists, the process proceeds to S1004, and if not, the process proceeds to S1005.

In step S1004, the UI control unit 201 displays a message on the My folder registration screen shown in FIG. 10 to alert the user that there is a function that cannot use the selected protocol. For example, in FIG. 10, since the FTP is selected, the message display area 1302 displays “FTP cannot be used by scanning and saving”. Even if this message is displayed, it is possible to register the information of the my folder by selecting the OK button on the my folder registration screen.

In step S1005, the UI control unit 201 passes the my folder information received in step S1002 to the my folder information management unit 207 in response to the selection of the OK button on the my folder registration screen. The my folder information management unit 207 stores the passed my folder information in the storage device 111 in a format as shown in FIG. 6A in association with the user information of the logged-in user.

Next, the processing when using the information of the my folder will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. This processing starts when the UI control unit 201 receives a selection of a function (application) on the home screen displayed on the operation unit 105 by the user. Here, an example in which the “scan and save” button 409 is selected will be specifically described. The UI control unit 201 instructs the application control unit 209 to start an application that realizes the “scan and save” function. In this case, the process in this flowchart is a process realized by the CPU 108 executing the “scan and save” application activated here. In the following description, the main body of each process is simply described as “application”.

In S1102, the application determines whether user authentication is successful and the user is currently logged in. If authenticated, the process proceeds to S1103, and if not authenticated, the process proceeds to S1108.

In step S1103, the application requests the my folder information management unit 207 to obtain my folder information associated with the user information of the login user. In response to the acquisition request, the my folder information management unit 207 searches for my folder information as illustrated in FIG. 6A using the login user's user ID as a key.

In step S1104, the application determines whether or not the acquisition request has successfully acquired the my folder information associated with the user information of the login user from the my folder information management unit 207. If the acquisition is successful, the process proceeds to S1105, and if the acquisition fails, the process proceeds to S1107.

In step S1105, the application determines whether or not the protocol set as the my folder information is available with reference to FIG. 6B. In the "scan and save" application, for example, SMB is available but FTP is not available. If it is determined that the use is possible, the process proceeds to S1106, and if it is determined that the use is not possible, the process proceeds to S1107.

In step S1106, the application instructs the UI control unit 201 to display “my folder” corresponding to the my folder information in a selectable state. In step S1107, the application instructs the UI control unit 201 to display the “my folder” corresponding to the my folder information in a non-selectable state. The non-selectable state is a state in which the My Folder button is displayed with shading and the operation to the button is not accepted. Note that the fact that the My Folder button cannot be used may be explicitly displayed in text.

In step S<b>1108, the application instructs the UI control unit 201 to acquire information about candidates for storage destinations other than “my folder” and display the information. The information of the storage destination candidates other than “my folder” is the information of the shared folder of the file sharing server 302 that has already been registered.

In the case where the processes of S1106 and S1108 in FIG. 8 are executed, the UI control unit 201 provides the display screen as shown in FIG. In this case, a plurality of folders corresponding to the My Folder information and the shared folder information of the file sharing server 302 that has already been registered are displayed as the save destination options of the “scan and save” function. ..

Further, in the case where the processes of S1107 and S1108 are executed in FIG. 8, the display screen as shown in FIG. 9 is provided by the UI control unit 201. In FIG. 9, display control is performed that is different from the screen shown in FIG. As described above, in the screen of FIG. 9, since FTP is set as the protocol of my folder information, "my folder" cannot be selected as the save destination of the file including the data obtained by the scan. That is, in this case, only a plurality of folders corresponding to the information of the shared folder of the already registered file sharing server 302 are displayed as the save destination options of the “scan and save” function, and corresponding to the My Folder information. Folders are no longer an option.

Further, in the case where NO is determined in S1102 in FIG. 8 and the process of S1108 is executed, a screen in which “my folder” itself is not displayed on the list 507 of display screens as illustrated in FIG. 5B described above. Will be provided. This is because the authentication itself is not performed and the acquisition of the My Folder information itself is not attempted.

Even in the case where NO is determined in S1104 in FIG. 8, the process of S1107 may be skipped and the process of S1108 may be executed.

(Other embodiments)
The present invention includes an apparatus or system configured by appropriately combining the above-described embodiments and a method thereof.

Here, the present invention is an apparatus or system that is a main body that executes one or more software (programs) that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments. Further, the method for realizing the above-described embodiment executed by the apparatus or system is also one of the present invention. Further, the program is supplied to the system or device via a network or various storage media, and the program is read and executed by one or more computers (CPU, MPU, etc.) of the system or device. That is, as one of the present invention, the program itself or various computer-readable storage media storing the program are included. The present invention can also be realized by a circuit (for example, ASIC) that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments.

104 Scanner Unit 105 Operation Unit 106 Network I/F

Claims (6)

A storage device that manages folder information including path information and protocol type in association with user information of a user of the image processing apparatus is provided, and provides a plurality of functions for handling image data obtained by scanning. An image processing device,
Acquiring means for acquiring the folder information associated with the user information of the authenticated user,
A function selected from the plurality of functions, a determining unit that determines whether or not the protocol included in the acquired folder information can be used,
When it is determined that the selected function can use the protocol included in the acquired folder information, a screen for selecting a save destination for saving the image data as a file by the selected function is displayed. , A display is made so that a folder corresponding to the obtained folder information can be selected,
When it is determined that the selected function cannot use the protocol included in the acquired folder information, the folder corresponding to the acquired folder information cannot be selected on the screen for selecting the storage destination. An image processing device, which is characterized by various displays. In the storage device, information of the shared folder of the file server that is registered without being associated with the user information is registered as the storage destination candidate,
When it is determined that the protocol included in the acquired folder information can be used by the selected function, the acquired folder information and the shared folder information are displayed on the screen for selecting the storage destination. Display that allows you to select the save destination from multiple folders,
When it is determined that the selected function can use the protocol included in the acquired folder information, a save destination is selected from a folder corresponding to the shared folder information on the save destination selection screen. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein such an image is displayed. The image processing according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a folder corresponding to the folder information associated with the user information is not displayed on the screen for selecting the storage destination when the user is not authenticated. apparatus. When a predetermined protocol is set as the folder information when registering the folder information in the storage device in association with the user information, the folder is selected by one of a plurality of functions provided by the image processing device. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein it is displayed that information is unavailable. The image processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the predetermined protocol is FTP (File Transfer Protocol). A storage device that manages folder information including path information and protocol type in association with user information of a user of the image processing apparatus is provided, and provides a plurality of functions for handling image data obtained by scanning. A method in an image processing device, comprising:
An acquisition process that acquires the folder information linked to the user information of the authenticated user,
A function selected from the plurality of functions, a determination step of determining whether or not the protocol included in the acquired folder information can be used,
When it is determined that the selected function can use the protocol included in the acquired folder information, a screen for selecting a save destination for saving the image data as a file by the selected function is displayed. , A display is made so that a folder corresponding to the obtained folder information can be selected,
If it is determined that the selected function cannot use the protocol included in the acquired folder information, the folder corresponding to the acquired folder information cannot be selected on the screen for selecting the save destination. The method is characterized in that various displays are performed.

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